At the writers retreat, I learned my uncle Tom had passed away. I don't think he recovered well after his wife Kathy died, and he just let go.

Uncle Tom will always be remembered for his catch-phrases. I can't do them justice here because only he says them right, and they don't come across in print. They're an indelible part of my childhood. "Howdy do!" "Cheer up! Cheer up!" "Hospital good!" He was the only person in the world to say them, and now no one will ever say them again.